Voltage Regulator
What is a voltage regulator?
A voltage regulator is an electronic circuit or component that maintains a constant output voltage regardless of variations in input voltage or load current. It takes an unstable or varying input voltage and produces a stable, regulated output voltage that electronic circuits require to function properly. Voltage regulators are essential in power supplies and are commonly found in linear forms (like the 7805 IC) or switching forms (like buck converters) depending on efficiency and application requirements.
Related Terms
Linear Regulator
A linear regulator is a voltage regulation circuit that maintains a constant output voltage by continuously adjusting its internal resistance to drop excess input voltage. It operates by using a pass element (typically a transistor) that acts as a variable resistor, dissipating the difference between input and output voltage as heat. Linear regulators are simple, inexpensive, and provide clean output with low noise, making them ideal for low-power applications where efficiency is less critical than simplicity and output quality.
Switching Regulator
A switching regulator is a type of voltage regulator that uses high-frequency switching of transistors or MOSFETs to efficiently convert one DC voltage level to another. Unlike linear regulators that dissipate excess energy as heat, switching regulators store energy in inductors and capacitors during switching cycles, achieving much higher efficiency (typically 80-95%). They can step voltage up (boost), step it down (buck), or invert polarity, making them essential components in power supplies for computers, mobile devices, and other electronic systems where energy efficiency and heat management are critical.